Programme Associate - Transnational Organized Crime, Suva, Fiji

General

Description of assignment title: Programme Associate - Transnational Organized Crime

Assignment country: Fiji

Duty stations: Suva

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity: UNODC

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism, with widely recognized expertise and specialization on issues pertaining to international cooperation in criminal matters. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.
• The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP) has a team of over 300 staff providing advice and technical assistance related to the rule of law, non-traditional security threats, law enforcement, criminal justice and drug-related supply and health issues. The Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok is home to a multi-disciplinary team of close to 100 regional programme managers, advisors and administrators working with, and supporting, Member States and regional organizations, and aligned programme offices. To implement its work the closest to where it is needed, ROSEAP has satellite presence in 10 countries, including in Fiji.

Context:

• As highlighted in UNODC's 2024 report Transnational Organized Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges and Impact, transnational organized crime (TOC) in the Pacific region is increasingly sophisticated, diversified, and entrenched. The report documents a marked increase in large-scale drug trafficking as well as the convergence of trafficking routes with other illicit markets, including human trafficking, environmental crime, and cybercrime. These evolving threats are not only challenging national law enforcement capacities but are also destabilizing communities, impeding development progress, and exacerbating vulnerabilities already present due to geographic isolation, limited resources, and climate shocks. Despite strengthened law enforcement and intelligence-sharing efforts aimed at curbing the availability of illicit drugs, demand continues to rise; fueling public health crises, and undermining development gains. The successful candidate will be directly engaged in this critical environment, directly collaborating with the ongoing ODA-funded projects.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of Regional Adviser - Transnational Organized Crime, the Programme Associate will undertake the following tasks:
• Support coordination of cross-programmatic alignment of TOC interventions with related crime types, promoting integrated approaches to address overlapping threats such as smuggling, maritime crime, drug trafficking, and environmental crime via sea routes.
• Support development of internal briefs and coordination updates that map interlinkages, gaps, and potential entry points for joint programming.
• Lead on monitoring, evaluation and reporting of project activities.
• Assist in identifying and engaging regional partners, donors, and stakeholders relevant to TOC and broader crime prevention objectives.
• Support the preparation of funding proposals and partnership briefs that position TOC responses within broader regional development and peace agendas.
• Contribute to developing donor profiles and partnership strategies, ensuring strategic alignment and visibility of UNODC's work.
• Contribute to drafting clear, accessible narratives and presentation materials, supported by data visualizations, that communicate the impact of TOC.
• Assist in verifying and improving data quality in collaboration with field teams and implementing partners, including through regular feedback loops.
• Contribute to the preparation of knowledge products and advocacy materials that showcase the outcomes of UNODC's work within the broader TOC context.
• Assist in organizing learning events, internal knowledge exchanges, and technical roundtables that support cross-programmatic reflection and strengthen shared understanding.
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check‑ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 1 month

Donor priorities:

• .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be between 22 and 29 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Youth Volunteer funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 1 month

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Law, international relations, public policy

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Integrity
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Skills and experience:

• Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in
• Governance, security, justice, peace
• Health and human security

Area(s) of expertise:

• Administration, Legal affairs

Driving license:

• -

Other information